As I stated previously I wanted to focus on the stress and anxiety of the holiday and how to possibly combat it. Mayo Clinic has an amazing article titled “Stress, Depression, and the Holiday Season. In this article, the author (Mayo Clinic Staff) covers different coping mechanisms. I wanted to highlight some of the ideas from this article in a more concise and easy to follow way. Below I have listed some of my favorite tips from this article.
- Acknowledge Your Feelings
- This is one of the most important steps in dealing with stress and anxiety. Pushing down your feelings and not being honest with yourself will only exasperate the problem. Talking openly to someone else or even writing down your feelings can help. Take time to FEEL. No emotion is “incorrect” or “wrong.”
- Reach Out
- Sometimes we may feel isolated. During times like this, it may be beneficial to reach out to loved ones or even support groups of other people who feel this way. Reaching out to others may help to alleviate negative emotions associated with this time of year
- Be Realistic
- You should not have a single one idea of how you expect this season to go. Be realistic in your own expectations of yourself and others. Due to things such as COVID you should expect a change in the usual traditions your family may have. The best thing you can do at this time is to be open to change and the unexpected even if this is not something you like.
- Budget
- If stress and anxiety are commonly produced due to the need to go out and buy gifts, consider creating a budget. Budgeting and creating an organized list can help to lessen the stress and anxiety felt.
- Learn to Say No
- One of the biggest problems people seem to face around this time of year is stretching themselves too thin. This is when it is important to say no. People who tend to have a more unhealthy attachment style may be more likely to be a “people-pleaser.” This may cause them to have a harder time saying no and may cause more stress and anxiety in the end.
- Take a Breather
- Lastly, take time for yourself. This is easily one of the most important tips offered in this article. Taking time for yourself allows for one to unwind and really reflect on how one is feeling. In today’s day in age, we as a whole always seem to be rushing and or preoccupied with one thing or another. When was the last time you did something for yourself by yourself? Take time for yourself!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
-E.G.